The collaborative, a consortium of 13 organizations which includes the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS), will provide navigators and certified application counselors to facilitate enrollment and answer questions about eligibility and insurance coverage as offered through the Affordable Care Act. It is estimated some 27 percent of residents in the 13-county region are uninsured.

Residents will have access to more than 40 insurance plans from which they may choose the coverage level that best fits their budget. Participating agencies are using federal funds to target coordination of regional outreach efforts, including a special focus on geographically and linguistically isolated people. The enrollment period starts today and runs through March 31, 2014.

For more information and to obtain enrollment assistance, visit EnrollGulfCoast.com or call 832-393-5423 or toll-free 1-855-892-8082. Residents can also visit the national Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.